The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Alonso must make the most of being at home Posted: 08 May 2013 08:24 AM PDT LONDON, May 8 — Ferrari's Fernando Alonso needs to make the most of home advantage when Formula One's European season starts up in Barcelona on Sunday.
"If I was to score our overall performance, I would only give it a six out of 10," Ferrari chief designer Nikolas Tombazis told the Ferrari website (http://www.ferrari.com) ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. "We are not yet quite where we want to be," he added. "In the first four grands prix we were not really able to fight for pole position and that is one of our main objectives at the moment." The days when Alonso could count on the emotional boost of two home grands prix are gone. The Spaniard won in Valencia last year, but that race in the indebted port city is off the 2013 calendar, and he needs to get back on top of the podium at the Circuit de Catalunya. This time a year ago, Alonso arrived in Barcelona 10 points adrift of world champion Vettel in a battle that ultimately went down to the wire in the German's favour. Now, despite Ferrari having a much more competitive car and Alonso winning in China, the gap between them is already 30 points and all the top teams are bringing new developments to the track now that they are back in Europe. Alonso suffered a retirement in Malaysia in March, after losing his front wing when he tagged Vettel at the start, and finished only eighth in Bahrain last month when his rear wing DRS system failed to function. That problem has been solved and Ferrari have updates to the bodywork, floor and wings. "With any new component, the difficulty lies not so much in its development but in deciding whether or not it is working on track as well as we had hoped," said Tombazis."By Friday evening in Barcelona, our objective is to have a clear view on what we will take forward to use in the race." MCLAREN HOPES There are more questions than answers at this stage of the season and McLaren, regular title challengers who ended last year with the fastest car and started 2013 well off the pace, have plenty to deal with. "I think returning to a circuit where we undertook two of the pre-season tests will give us a useful benchmark of our progress so far," said McLaren's 2009 champion Jenson Button in a preview of the race. "I'm pragmatic about what we'll discover next weekend. I'm hopeful that it'll move us a step closer towards the destination." Vettel has already won twice this season and his form in Bahrain looked ominous. Stopping that momentum is the big challenge. Kimi Raikkonen, now second overall for Lotus and chasing his 22nd successive points finish this weekend, is 10 points behind and only too aware of what needs to be done. "It's going to be hard to catch Sebastian if he keeps taking good results so we need to start taking more points from him," said the Finn. "It's no secret that we want more speed from the car in qualifying. It's so tight up there at the front and we really need to be on the first two rows to fight for victories every time." That is more than ever the case in Barcelona, where 18 of the last 22 winners have started on pole and only one driver - the now-retired Michael Schumacher - has ever won from anywhere other than the front row. Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado won last year for Williams, the team's first grand prix success in nearly eight years, but lightning is unlikely to strike twice with the former world champions still chasing their first point of 2013. "Following a good aero test last week at Idiada (in Spain) and a number of upgrades coming for this race, hopefully Barcelona can be the start of improved performance for us this year," said the team's Finnish rookie Valtteri Bottas. — Reuters |
| Ferguson’s best and worst signings for Manchester United Posted: 08 May 2013 07:14 AM PDT  Ferguson has usually spent money wisely at Old Trafford. - Reuters pic LONDON, April 8 — Alex Ferguson was a keen promoter of home-grown talent but his incredible collection of silverware would not have been possible without some stunning transfer coups for Manchester United. Beginning with Eric Cantona and ending with Robin van Persie, Ferguson has usually spent money wisely at Old Trafford, although there have been some flops. Here are some of the best and worst Ferguson signings. BEST Eric Cantona Signed from bitter rivals Leeds United in 1992, the feisty French maverick was influential in United winning the title a year later. Cantona went on to win three more titles and remains a true United icon. Peter Schmeichel A colossus between the posts, the Danish international signed from Brondby in 1991 will go down as one of United's greatest goalkeepers. Fearless and demonstrative, Schmeichel led from the back for eight years. Cristiano Ronaldo When Ferguson signed Ronaldo for £12 million (RM55 million) from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 to replace David Beckham many questioned his judgement but the Scot moulded him from a flashy winger into a prolific goalscorer who netted 42 times in the 2007-08 season. Sold to Real Madrid for £80 million. Robin Van Persie After losing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City last season, Ferguson beat their bitter local rivals to the signing of the Dutch striker from Arsenal and his 25 league goals helped United cruise to this season's championship. Roy Keane Signed to replace Bryan Robson in United's midfield engine room, Ireland midfielder Keane stamped his authority on the side throughout the 1990s, leading his team mates by example. His rivalry with Arsenal's Patrick Vieira was pure box office. Wayne Rooney Rooney exploded on to the scene at Everton in 2002 and the young striker was lured to United in 2004 for £25 million. Scored a hat-trick on his debut in the Champions League and is now approaching 150 goals for the club. Rio Ferdinand A thoroughbred among defenders, Ferdinand's calmness on the ball prompted Ferguson to sign him from Leeds for £30 million in 2002 and he has been a key part of United's defence ever since. Ferguson stood by him when he was suspended for missing a drugs test in 2003. Nemanja Vidic Not well known before his move to United in 2006, the Serb has formed a telepathic understanding with Ferdinand and is now the club captain. Ruud van Nistelrooy The combative Dutchman scored 95 goals in 150 league games for United after signing from PSV Eindhoven in 2001 for £19 million. Remains United's top scorer in European competitions. Andy Cole Signed from Newcastle United in 1995, Cole spent six years at Old Trafford, many in partnership with Dwight Yorke. Scored vital goals in five league title campaigns and was part of the 1999 treble-winning side. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Unknown outside Norway when he arrived in 1996, Solskjaer's ability to score vital goals, often after coming off the bench, endeared him to fans and Ferguson. Scored 126 goals in 11 years.
Eric Djemba-Djemba Cameroon international who was signed from Nantes in 2003 to fill the hole left by Roy Keane but was completely out of his depth and made just 20 appearances. Kleberson Signed on the back of Brazil's 2002 World Cup triumph but the south American managed just two league goals in two years. Juan Sebastian-Veron Arrived at United in 2001 from Lazio for £28 million with a glowing reputation but things did not go to plan for the midfielder and he was eventually sold to Chelsea for half the price. Diego Forlan Hard-working Uruguayan striker was signed in January 2002 for £6.9 million and failed to score for the rest of the season. Overshadowed by Ruud van Nistelrooy and eventually sold to Villarreal where he thrived. Bebe Signed from Portuguese club Vitoria in 2010, the striker has been virtually anonymous ever since. Gabriel Obertan A tricky winger, Obertan was signed for about £3 million from Bordeaux in 2009. Proved too lightweight and lasted just two years before moving to Newcastle United. Massimo Taibi Took over the gloves from Schmeichel in 1999 but quickly dropped them. His fourth and final appearance saw the goalkeeper allow a Matthew le Tissier shot through his legs. Jordi Cruyff Son of the great Johan Cruyff, Jordi was signed from Barcelona. Occasionally showed the family pedigree but there were few high points in his 45 appearances. – Reuters |
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